Universal Studios

On our last day in Orlando we spent the day at Universal Studios - Islands of Adventure. I really wanted to see the new Harry Potter section and it did not disappoint.

We started in the Marvel area. The Hulk rollercoaster was a blast.

Then on to the Spiderman 3-D ride. Our 3-D glasses are so hot.

Jurassic Park was awesome. It was amazing how as soon as you left one section and entered the next you were completely immersed.

Seriously - so cheesy!

Look I'm at Hogwarts!

The butterbeer was sooooo yummy! We each had 2 glasses full.

Todd with his butterbeer while eating at the Three Broomsticks restaurant

Yum Yum

The Hogwarts Express

Isn't is just beautiful?

Next was Seussland....the entire time I just kept thinking how much Luke would love this section. He's a huge Dr. Seuss fan

I think my favorite ride was the Harry Potter dragon ride - although I really loved the ride that takes you through Hogwarts and you are on a flying school bench. The longest line we waited in was the Flight of the Hippogriff and was totally not worth the wait - unless we had little kids with us. It was a little short and too family friendly for the time we spent in line. I can't believe how much fun I had spending the day at an amusement park just Todd and I - no-one cried, we could spend as much or little time doing things as we wanted and it was so much fun to spend so much quality time together.

Epcot

I had work meetings in Orlando so Todd decided to fly and meet me for the weekend. I stayed 1 extra day to have some fun and play. Saturday I finished working around 4:00 pm so we headed out to Epcot. I haven't been there since I was a kid and Todd had never been before. We cruised through the park pretty fast since we only had about 4 1/2 hours total. We walked through all the different countries and ate some very yummy food. Then we headed over to do a few of the rides. My favorite was "Soaring" and we loved the Nemo section too because there was a huge aquarium where people were even scuba diving.



Every time I saw the ball I would say "hey look, there's the ball". At first I think it annoyed Todd, but after I did it the entire night it was hilarious so we had to snap a quick picture in front of it.

Bowling

After being gone all week in LA for work I told the kids we could go out and have some fun for family night. They chose bowling. We went to dinner and then bowling. They had so much fun. Tayson got a strike followed by 2 spares in the first 3 sets. He finished with 115. He's quite the little bowler. Claire was more interested in posing for pictures than bowling.





We had a good time....the only thing that would have made it better would have been if Todd had been there with us.

Caution Wet Floor

I got home from a work trip to LA on a Sunday afternoon while everyone was at church. I walked in the door and the kitchen was spotless (the dishwasher was even running). The front room was clean too. I was so impressed with Todd. It's not easy to keep the house clean with our 4 kiddos. Then I walked down the hall and busted out laughing. You couldn't even see the floor back by the rooms. Sophie had dumped out every single game in the closet. Claire's floor was covered in toys and Sophie's room had be toilet papered (not by teenagers ... by her). Then I saw the sign on the bathroom door. Oh boy why was the floor wet? I found out later from Todd that Sophie had decorated the bathroom with 2 tubes of toothpaste and the boys cleaned it up. It was actually very clean - there were just A LOT of towels for me to wash. I love that they put up a sign. Then I walked into our bedroom. OH MY!!! The bed covers were everywhere and the entire dresser top was strewn across the floor. Every one of my watches and Todd's watches were scattered around on the floor and there were clothes everywhere. When I asked Todd what happened he just said "you can't do anything if Sophie is around!" Don't I know it. She is so dang crazy. Of course usually when I have her there aren't quite so many messes...but she can really tear it up.

Ragnar 2011 .... Here We Come

Utah I hope you are ready for these awesome girls to hit the road. We had our first official Ragnar 2011 meeting. We did awards for last years race, watched a very fun and ispiring video of last years training and race then drew our legs. After a few small trades I ended up with Leg 3. My first leg is 5.6 moderate. Second is 4.9 moderate and my last is 7.9 hard. 18.4 miles total...let the training begin!

2011 Family Goals

For family home evening we set goals and new chores for the kids. When I asked what they would like to have our family goals for 2011 be Tayson said "we should all lose 10 pounds" - what? Does he realize how small they all are???? Claire is already the weight of a 2 year old and the last thing she needs is to lose weight. He and Luke are both obsessed with weight and always talk about being fat - weirdos. Anyway....here is what we came up with together. I'm not a big one on setting new years resolutions since I have to work and work and work to be a better person and it's not really a once a year thing but I am continually re-evaluating where I am and what needs to be changed. (I am however trying to lose 10 pounds - just not as a 2011 goal)

2011 Johnson Family Goals:

• Read the Book of Mormon (the kids were challenged by the primary presidency)
  
• Work on preparing for a mission (Luke came up with this one)

Tayson's Goals:

• 200 situps
• 20 pushups
• Run a mile under 8:00 minutes

Luke's Goals:

• 100 situps
• 10 pushups
• Learn to ride a bike with no training wheels

Claire's Goals:

• Be able to read
• Say prayers without help
• Make bed without help

Sophie's Goals:

• Potty train (again)
• No more binky

Kathy's Goals:

• Run 1111 miles

We also spent some time discussing allowance, chores and paid chores and set up new charts for the kids and reset expectations for them since they are getting older.

2010 Highlights

I can't believe 2010 is over already - this year went by very fast. I've been thinking a lot for the last few days about this years highlights. Here they are:

I read 29 books this year

(The Red Queen, The White Queen, The Lady Elizabeth, Splendor, Dragonfly in Amber, Mockingjay, Catching Fire, Hunger Games (yes I read them twice this year), The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Outlander, Pope Joan, Extras, Specials, Pretties, Uglies, The Book Thief, The Help, Same Kind of Different as me, The Last Olympian, The Battle of the Labyrith, The Titans Curse, The Sea of Monsters, The Lightning Thief, The Road, Catching Fire, Hunger Games, Rumors, Envy, & The Luxe)

Ran lots of miles (I didn't track them this year but I will be in 2011)

My biggest accomplishment this year was running Ragnar
(the race and "ragnar" leg)

We had our first stitches in the family

Baptized Tayson

My baby brother get married -
and was able to be in the temple with my husband, parents and all of my siblings.

Luke got a special award from school

Went back to STL and attended my 20 year high school reunion

Sent an an amazing man back to heaven.
Thank goodness we were able to make the trip to see great-grandpa one last time.

I have learned a lot and been stretched more than I thought was possible this year. I have felt the Lord's hand in my life leading me through all the hard times. I am loving the stage my kids are at right now - they are young enough to still be sweet and old enough to do fun stuff. 2010 was a great year!